Indiana Democrats pushing to legalize marijuana

The Indiana Democratic Party said it plans to push for the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in Indiana during the next legislative session. It made the announcement Monday ahead of Organizational Day for legislators Tuesday.

Democrats point to polls that show nearly 80 percent of Hoosiers agree with legalizing the use of marijuana for medical, recreation or both. Those numbers have only increased in polling over the years.

However, it’s not just the Democrats in support of legalizing marijuana. State Representative Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, tells us he’s also working on two bills.

“This is an issue that’s not political,” he said. “It’s not Democrat vs. Republican. Conservative vs. Liberal. This is a person issue.”

Lucas is drafting a bill that would allow adult use and a more conservative bill that would only allow medical marijuana. He said an encounter with a Vietnam veteran highlighted the need for change.

“Here was this gentleman, a total stranger, Vietnam veteran, broke down and started crying right there in front of me,” Lucas said. “He said, ‘I’m tired of feeling like a criminal.’”

Possession of marijuana in Indiana is currently punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Prior convictions or possession of larger amounts of marijuana can increase jail time to a year or more. Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have all legalized marijuana in some form. [Read more at WHTR]